Embroidery frame transport device and sewing machine

Abstract

An embroidery frame transport device includes a carriage, a first drive portion, a drive switching portion, and a rotary drive portion. The carriage is provided with an embroidery frame that is rotatable. The first drive portion includes a first transport mechanism and a first drive source. The first transport mechanism transports the carriage in a first direction. The first drive source drives the first transport mechanism. The drive switching portion shuts off transmission of drive power to the first transport mechanism from the first drive source when the first drive portion transports the carriage to a specified position in the first direction. The rotary drive portion causes the embroidery frame to rotate using the drive power of the first drive source, in a state in which the transmission of the drive power from the first drive source to the first transport mechanism is shut off by the drive switching portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An embroidery frame transport device comprising:
 a carriage to which an embroidery frame is configured to be removably attached, the embroidery frame being capable of rotating; 
 a first drive portion that includes
 a first transport mechanism that transports the carriage in a first direction, and 
 a first drive source that is provided separately from the carriage and that drives the first transport mechanism; 
 
 a drive switching portion that shuts off transmission of drive power to the first transport mechanism from the first drive source when the first drive portion transports the carriage to a specified position in the first direction; and 
 a rotary drive portion that causes the embroidery frame to rotate using the drive power of the first drive source, in a state in which the transmission of the drive power from the first drive source to the first transport mechanism is shut off by the drive switching portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The embroidery frame transport device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the drive switching portion includes
 a switching portion that shuts off the transmission of the drive power from the first drive source to the first transport mechanism and connects the transmission of the drive power from the first drive source to the rotary drive portion, and 
 an actuator that drives the switching portion. 
 
 
     
     
       3. The embroidery frame transport device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the first drive source is a motor, 
 the switching portion includes
 a spline shaft that rotates due to driving of the motor, and 
 a drive gear that is provided around the spline shaft, that is configured to move in an axial direction of the spline shaft as a result of an operation of the actuator, and that rotates in accordance with a rotation of the spline shaft, 
 
 the first transport mechanism includes
 a first driven gear that is capable of meshing with the drive gear, 
 a first pulley that rotates in accordance with a rotation of the first driven gear, 
 a second pulley that is provided separated from the first driven gear in the first direction, and 
 a belt that is stretched over the first pulley and the second pulley and that is connected to the carriage, and 
 
 the actuator, by causing the drive gear to move in the axial direction, switches a position of the drive gear between a first position and a second position, the first position being a position in which the drive gear meshes with the first driven gear, and the second position being a position in which the drive gear is separated from the first driven gear. 
 
     
     
       4. The embroidery frame transport device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the rotary drive portion includes a second driven gear that is capable of rotating a frame gear provided on the embroidery frame and that is provided on the carriage, and 
 the second driven gear meshes with the drive gear when the drive gear is in the second position, and causes the embroidery frame to rotate by transmitting a drive power of the drive gear to the frame gear. 
 
     
     
       5. The embroidery frame transport device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first regulation portion that regulates movement of the carriage in the first direction when the embroidery frame is being rotated by the rotary drive portion; and 
 a second regulation portion that regulates the rotation of the embroidery frame when the carriage is being transported in the first direction by the first transport mechanism. 
 
     
     
       6. The embroidery frame transport device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second transport mechanism that transports the first drive portion in a second direction that is different to the first direction; and 
 a second drive portion that includes
 a second drive source that drives the second transport mechanism. 
 
 
     
     
       7. A sewing machine comprising:
 a bed portion that is formed such that an embroidery frame transport device is capable of being mounted thereon, the embroidery frame transport device including
 a carriage to which an embroidery frame is configured to be removably attached, the embroidery frame being capable of rotating; 
 a first drive portion that includes
 a first transport mechanism that transports the carriage in a first direction, and 
 a first drive source that is provided separately from the carriage and that drives the first transport mechanism; 
 
 a drive switching portion that shuts off transmission of drive power to the first transport mechanism from the first drive source when the first drive portion transports the carriage to a specified position in the first direction; and 
 a rotary drive portion that causes the embroidery frame to rotate using the drive power of the first drive source, in a state in which the transmission of the drive power from the first drive source to the first transport mechanism is shut off by the drive switching portion.